HOMETOWN BOY:

FAMILY SUPPORT:

Sledge hockey star Graeme Murray had no shortage of fans watching his team’s bronze medal win at the Paralympic Games in Sochi, Russia earlier this month.

Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Tony Clement followed the exploits of Murray and Team Canada via Twitter, tweeting out messages of luck and congratulations throughout the games.

“It was very exciting to have a local there prominently on our team, part of Team Canada, and I’m just delighted to know they are going to be renaming the arena after him too. It’s very appropriate,” said Clement.

Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller became a sledge hockey fan after attending his first live game at the recent Ontario Winter Games.

“I was really impressed with the athleticism and skill involved in playing sledge hockey. I’m amazed at the way they’re able to play the game; to shoot the puck from centre ice and put it in the net,” said Miller. “It’s pretty incredible to watch live and the upper body strength the players have is pretty amazing. It’s really fun to watch.”

He was sure to tune in for Murray, and Team Canada’s, bronze medal win.

“He’s a defenceman,” he said. “They only had four goals in the Paralympics scored against them and three shut-outs. Certainly the defence played a big part in that.”

Clearly Miller is a Murray fan, able to cite many aspects of Murray’s career.

“I know they wanted to win gold but I was very proud of the way the sledge hockey team played,” he said. “I think playing in the bronze medal game would be tough for them to be enthusiastic about, but they came out and played a great game against Norway.”

Murray’s mother Bernene Jones said the team really did want gold.

“After they lost the game to the U.S. and they were out of the final game the team came back to Canada house and all the families were so amazing with their support and rallying spirit.”

She said the team picked up on that and went for the bronze. A game that ended in a 3-0 score.

Miller said it was a very disciplined and great game to watch.

“Everyone should be proud of Graeme. He’s certainly a local boy and he’s done very well to represent not only Canada but Gravenhurst,” said Town of Gravenhurst mayor Paisley Donaldson.

She says Murray and his family have lived in the area for many years and serve as great role models for the community.

“He’s just a great person,” she said.

Town of Gravenhurst deputy mayor Jeff Watson said he gets quite emotional about Murray’s success and the bronze medal win.

Watson’s daughter went to school in Ottawa with Murray and Watson has known Jones for many years.

“It’s a sense of pride knowing he’s coming from Gravenhurst and been as dedicated to his sport and as dedicated to his community as he’s been. It’s a really warm feeling,” he said.

As his mother, Jones says the whole experience was the best ever. She, Graeme’s sister Robin Murray, Graeme’s girlfriend Claudia Larouche, and Jones’ partner Chuck Miller all headed to Sochi as part of the contingent of about 60 family members of the team.

The family was also at the Paralympics in Salt Lake in 2002 and Vancouver 2010.

“We actually haven’t seen him medal at an Olympics because he actually didn’t get medals at those two games and we didn’t get to Italy in 2006,” she said.

She is pleased that she was able to witness the medal win noting that her son was in the “best form ever.”

Jones says she has received ecstatic calls and feedback from friends and neighbours since returning from Sochi.

“It doesn’t have to be gold I guess,” she laughed.

There will be a dedication to Murray at the Gravenhurst Centennial Centre that houses the arena and YMCA.

“A name will be added to the Centennial Centre and it will be The Graeme Murray Arena,” said Watson.

Donaldson says the naming of the arena is to recognize Murray’s lifelong accomplishments.

“That’s just the icing on the cake,” said Jones. “I think it’s great of them. We’re all very privileged and humbled by the decision of the town to do that.”

The hope is to having the naming celebration in September after reconstruction of the arena is complete.